"Jiexi, Jiexi….hello? Are you daydreaming in there?" Lucy waved his hand in front of Wen Jiexi.
"Ah? No, no." Wen Jiexi shook herself out of her daze and smiled back. In her mind, she's been replaying last night's practice scene over and over again. She felt so strange and heart-wrenching about everything that had happened yesterday. And because of this, she had stayed up all night with her heart filled with doubt and insecurity. She didn't know how to express this and only felt pain from the headache induced by her exhaustion.
"Huh? Where did you get this bracelet? If I remember correctly, Su Chenyu also has one exactly like this." Lucy pointed to the purple bracelet on Wen Jiexi's hand, and his eyes flashed a questioning look. He had heard that experts had one appraised it to be made of some kind of high-quality violet jade. It was a certain mineral that was so precious that ordinary people wouldn't be able to afford it. If Su Chenyu wore something like it, then people took it for granted. However, a little newcomer wearing one caused questions.
"This…This is a gift from Sister Su." Wen Jiexi stroked the bracelet sheepishly. For some reason, the gentle jade gave her a peace of mind and calmed her heart. Then she asked nervously,
"Can I wear this on set?" If she couldn't then she had to go ask Sister Su to remove it for her because she really couldn't take it off no matter how much she pulled.
"Hmm…you can, but hide it under your sleeves. Your Right Protector costume is not like the loose robes other people wear and can be considered form-fitting. Though there's still some room for you to hide a bracelet, just make sure it's not exposed to the air and no one should notice it." Lucy rubbed his chin and nodded in agreement. He studied the bracelet on Wen Jiexi's wrist. The size suited her perfectly for it was neither too small nor too big. It would only move a little when Wen Jiexi ran, so big movements shouldn't cause the bracelet to fall off but…..
Violet jade….it symbolizes elegance and it also wards off evil, but it does have a deeper meaning…maybe I'm just thinking too much…but maybe Su Chenyu knows exactly what she's doing…but Su Chenyu isn't that kind of person, is she? Just look at this silly little girl…she doesn't even realize she's essentially been claimed….but this is a matter between them, I can't say much about it. Well, I'll just pretend I don't know.
When Wen Jiexi finished putting on her makeup, she made her way outside. The second part of the scene had already started. For today's shooting purposes, there were more than twenty extras wearing the same costumes gathering in the venue. This was all for the scene Wen Jiexi was in. If this was all for her big battle, she feels kinda guilty at all the extra hard work they have to do. Of course, there were others with a lot of props and stuff too but it seemed they used a lot of extras for her especially.
However, it really wouldn't make sense if she only killed a few people when she supposed to have killed the entire sect.
"Morning, Jiexi." Wen Ting made her way over to Wen Jiexi and yawned.
"Why did you wake up so late today?" Wen Jiexi asked with some surprise.
"I was playing a game yesterday and then went to bed late. Good thing my shooting isn't until later in the afternoon or else my acting would've been affected by my current state." Wen Ting rubbed her dry eyes and explained.
"Playing a game? You still have time to play games?" Wen Jiexi said with a smile.
"That's because my roomie moved out and a new one moved in. They made so much ruckus that I couldn't sleep at all."
While the two were talking, Ye Xinxin brushed past them. The Zhong Liwen who was with her yesterday was not following behind her. That meant she was still changing her clothes. Glancing at Ye Xinxin's clothes, her gorgeous purple outfit was embroidered with many patterns and even her collar and cuffs were covered in exquisite embroidery. Overall, the look gave off an arrogant vibe and one wouldn't know what role she was playing but it must be a role with a powerful backer behind it.
While Wen Jiexi studied Ye Xinxin, Ye Xinxin also gave Wen Jiexi a once-over. Compared to Wen Jiexi's subtle gaze, hers was boldly full of disgust and disdain. However, she remembered Zhong Liwen's words from yesterday and remarked in a whisper that only Wen Jiexi and Wen Ting standing beside her could hear,
"What kind of character are you playing? Your entire body is clad in black and there is nothing special about it. However, I feel that it suits you very much. Your heart is black and so your clothes match the same blackness inside you."
"Who the heck are you? It's the first time I've seen you today and yet you're so rude! Do you even understand what role Jiexi plays? She's the Right Protector! An indifferent character. If she doesn't wear black then what does she wear? A gaudy robe instead? And look like some prostitute like a certain someone? No thank you! Also, aren't you mocking the Xingle design team with your words? Are you saying that the design team is lazy or something? Hmph, why don't you take a look at Sister Heling who's the heroine? She's also wearing only plain white. And the male lead, Yan Haocheng is wearing plain clothing too! Only that brat Yuyan is wearing anything remotely colorful but he's the final boss, unlike you. To be dressed like this means you're stealing the limelight of the main characters. So you can only be playing a cannon fodder role!"
Wen Jiexi hadn't even opened her mouth yet and Wen Ting already went straight for the throat. There was no pause in her long string of words and yet not a single dirty word was exchanged. Wen Jiexi felt stunned at Wen Jiexi's elegance while Ye Xinxin just stood there stupefied. After a while, the girl finally recovered from her shock and her face swelled in red, hot anger. Fire spewed from her eyes and she pointed at Wen Ting, about to explode when-
"Ah, Wen Ting, Sister Heling is calling us over. We have to go." Wen Jiexi saw people staring at them and quickly hurried away, dragging Wen Ting behind her. This was their first film so it wasn't good to provoke any trouble. Of course, Sister Heling really was waving at them to come over and they weren't going to keep her waiting.
"Sister Heling, what's the matter?"
"Why are you guys with the people from Guanghua?" Che Heling asked with some worry.
"I don't know why either, Sister Heling. That whats-her-face came over to us when Wen Jiexi and I were chatting. Then she started provoking us, what a weirdo." Wen Ting said indignantly.
"Ok, ok, lower your voice." Chu Heling said, patting Wen Ting's head and then turned towards Wen Jiexi.
"That girls' name is Ye Xinxin and she arrived yesterday. During dinner, she sat at our table with Zhong Liwen from Guanghua and for some reason was really hostile to me." Wen Jiexi explained.
"Zhong Liwen…" Chu Heling raised her eyebrows slightly.
"Stay away from that woman, she is bad news." Surprisingly, it was Yao Haocheng who was sitting to the side and reading his script quietly that spoke first. He looked up with a trace of obvious disgust in his eyes.
"Huh? Shouldn't we be staying away from Ye Xinxin's stupid self instead?" Wen Ting scratched her head and asked.
"That Ye Xinxin got set up by Zhong Liwen. Ye Xinxin just arrived yesterday, why would she hate you guys for? You just entered the entertainment circle so you don't know this, but don't be fooled by Zhong Liwen's smiling face. She likes to use others for her own gain. She forces others to carry the black pot, but her own back is clean. [1] Using this method, she climbed up the stairs of fame. She even won the title of a white lotus. It seems her weapon this time is Ye Xinxin and I'm afraid she's using it against you. Make sure to be careful and it's best not to be walking around alone for a while." Chu Heling explained helplessly.
"But no one called her out on it?" Lan Yuyan, sitting beside Yan Haocheng, asked curiously.
"It's because she does a good job of pretending on the surface and the evidence is always cleaned up afterward. Many have speculated that she has someone high up that cleans up her messes for her." Chu Heling replied.
"But didn't you say she was good at pretending?" Wen Jiexi looked at Chu Heling and then at Yan Haocheng in confusion. Then how come these two know so much?
"One of my good friends helped her out once because she thought Zhong Liwen was a good person. However, not only was she stabbed in the back, her name got dragged through the mud and she was forced to leave the entertainment industry. She even attempted to commit suicide." Chu Heling said bitterly.
"Whoa…that's terrible, what about you Ah-Cheng?" Lan Yuyan asked and watched as Yan Haocheng's face turned black and he spat out a few words,
"When I first entered the industry…she offered to make me famous if I slept with her…"
"WHAT!"
"Cough…."
Under everyone's disbelieving gazes, Yan Haocheng's muscles popped against his forehead,
"I refused…but she threatened me at the time and even made slander against me because of it. However, the company quickly clarified everything, and the matter was swept under the rug."
"Must've been hard on you." Wen Ting patted Yan Haocheng's shoulder.
"But I think their goal this time should be Sister Su." Wen Jiexi rubbed her nose and then thought about how their eyes brightened when they saw Su Chenyu only to be turned down. Just thinking about it makes her want to laugh and she told the group of actors and actresses the story,
"Pfft-hahahaha! Goddess Su is just too awesome, too awesome!" Wen Ting patted her knees and laughed.
"I think the one their targeting is actually you, Jiexi. Be careful. In the entertainment industry, the schemes people use are often the most unexpected sort." Chu Heling said and patted Wen Jiexi on the shoulder.
"I understand, thank you for the warning, Sister Heling."
Ye Xinxin, on the other hand, could only watch this harmonious scene from far away and stamped her feet in anger. Seeing Zhong Liwen finally come back out, she hurried towards her. She told an exaggerated story of what just happened to Zhong Liwen, of course, she secretly switched the order around. Instead, she was the one who was provoked first, and then she fought back.
"Sister Zhong, they really are too much! They even dare to laugh at me! So what if my character has only a few lines, at least I won the role with my own ability! Unlike her who got the role by sleeping with someone! How can they do this to me." Ye Xinxin said pitifully and wiped her eyes.
"Ok, ok, don't feel down. They can only rely on powerful connections to intimidate people. Be careful, don't let your tears ruin your makeup. Today will be your first performance so you must perform well and earn back our company's face. When you become more famous, won't you get more resources to deal with them? You still have a long time, remember you'll be able to give them their dues as long as you bide your time." Zhong Liwen patted Ye Xinxin's head but her eyes were focused on Wen Jiexi.
She must use this opportunity to enter Xingle. As for Ye Xinxin, it was already good enough for her to give the girl some advice, right? So shouldn't she reap her rewards soon?
"What Sister Zhong said is right. I still have time. I will and must let everyone see their true colors eventually!" Ye Xinxin raised her head and proclaimed proudly.
"Yes, yes, we'll do as you say. Now it's almost your turn, go get ready." Zhong Liwen said as she patted Ye Xinxin on the shoulder.
"Oh, really?" Ye Xinxin looked towards the director. Sure enough, Director Xie was already calling for the cast to get on set.
"Then I'm leaving first, Sister Zhong. I will do my very best!"
"En, hurry up and go."
Ye Xinxin waved goodbye. She passed by Wen Jiexi and let out an annoyed 'Hmph!" before leaving.
Zhong Liwen watched the interaction with interest. Ye Xinxin's personality was too straightforward, so the strategy of using tricks and hidden schemes was impossible. She would have to push the girl instead. She glanced at Wen Jiexi's tender face and a malicious glint flashed across her eyes.
"She really is something, I really want to punch her." Wen Ting said and rolled her eyes.
"Eh, there are all kinds of people in the industry. I wouldn't worry too much about it." Chu Heling laughed.
"But this type of mindless fighting is really annoying." Wen Ting said with a pout.
"They're going against me, not you, why are you so invested in this?" Wen Jiexi smiled.
"That's not the problem." Wen Ting pouted again.
"Let's go see what that arrogant woman is playing." She said and then dragged Wen Jiexi by the arm to follow after Ye Xinxin. Wen Jiexi waved at Chu Heling and the others as she was dragged away.
Wen Jiexi checked the script before the scene started. This scene seemed to focus on the Eldest Lady of Tieshanbao (a very large and famous Sect.) The Eldest Lady is named Feng Qing'er and relied on her father and her minor cultivation skills to do wrong. She bullied both men and women. She was also a big flirt. Heer servants and followers were all men and her little group was called 「The Hundred Men Harem.」When her father received news of the male lead and female lead visit, her father warned her not to cause trouble and to lay low for a while.
However, why would such a dominating character listen? After staying home for two days, she ran out onto the streets to look for men and fell in love with the male lead who just happened to be shopping. It was love at first sight.
No wonder she's wearing such fancy clothes, so she's the Eldest Lady. Wen Jiexi rubbed her chin. The arrogant look on Ye Xinxin's face seemed almost natural to her. The people who played with her were all temporary characters as well and her own appearance in the show was limited. Most likely a role that will only get around eighteen lines.
Currently, a commotion was occurring in the shopping district but many people just watched while no one intervened.
"Lin-er! You people! Let her go, let her go!" The most handsome man was being held down by many other men and his shoulders and face were pressed to the ground. Even with the dust covering his face, he looked handsome. He reached out an arm towards the beautiful girl in front of him but was rudely dragged away.
"Heh, such devoted infatuation. This young lady can't help but feel envious." Feng Qing'er grabbed the young girl's face and then broke the hair tie holding up the young girl's hair,
"Your looks are very ordinary and yet you can get such a good man. This young lady feels very jealous."
"Honorable Miss….we just came here for a vacation…cough cough…can you please let us go?" The girl named Lin-er pleaded softly.
"Hehe, but I'm in love with this man. So what are we going to do?" Feng Qing'er tilted her head and sneered.
"But, we're married…." The girl said with a sob.
"Married? Doesn't that mean you can easily divorce too? Just one sentence and you'll no longer be married." Feng Qing'er stood up and rubbed her hands against the man's face.
"No…"
"Never!"
Both of them refused and a disgruntled look appeared in Feng Qing'er's eyes. She kicked the girl fiercely across the chest and the girl spat out blood as she fell into the air and landed onto a street vendor's stall.
"Lin-er! Lin-er!| The man frantically tried to rush forward and even made it a couple of feet but was dragged back as he was no match for the strength of many men.
"Look at that, she's dead….how about you just obediently follow me instead? I'll make sure you're well-fed and never go hungry again." Feng Qing'er slowly walked around the man, her smile soft and gentle.
"Never…" The man's crimson eyes burned with hate as he stared at Feng Qing'er, but there was a trace of helplessness in it. Everyone thought he was going to agree when he closed his eyes, suddenly a trail of blood ran down the corner of his mouth. He had bit his tongue and killed himself!
"Suicide? How unlucky. You! Throw one out of the southern gate and the other out of the northern gate. Even after death, this young lady will make it so you'll never be together. This young lady will make sure you'll never be happy again." Her eyes swept indifferently over the dead man and woman. She had many medicines in her storage ring that could save these people but they were only ants in her eyes. If they wanted to die then let them die.
"I think this is her natural personality." Wen Ting whispered. She didn't miss the smug glance ye Xinxin sent their way when she turned around. Her eyes were saying, "Look, now this is acting, you bastards! Don't look down on me and think I can't act!'
"Try not to fight her, please. Anyhow, I think she will leave soon. I don't think she will be in more than ten scenes. Ah, and she's supposed to be killed by me." Wen Jiexi pointed at the last scene for Feng Qing'er. During one of her outings into the city, Feng Qing'er met the Right Protector. Whoever kills the Right Protector ends up seizing her hoard of treasures. Knowing this, Feng Qing'er tried her luck, for if she defeated the Right Protector not only would she be rich, but she would also gain more prestige in her Sect. However, even if the people protecting her were masters they were just lambs to the slaughter in front of the Right Protector.
"Hehe, just how many people are you going to kill in this drama? Even I will be killed by you." Wen Ting rubbed her chin and asked, looking at Wen Jiexi like she was looking at a murderous demon.
"What can I do? This is what the Demon Sect's Leader ordered me to do, but I saved a lot of lives in the Mortal Realm, alright?" Wen Jiexi laughed at the look in Wen Ting's eyes.
"Um…." A hesitant voice sounded and they turned around to find Zhong Liwen standing behind them.
"What's the matter?" Wen Jiexi stopped Wen Ting's movements as the girl tried to stand protectively in front of Wen Jiexi. There were many eyes watching them, so even if Zhong Liwen wanted to do something she wouldn't be able to do anything. Instead of being hostile against her, might as well see what Zhong Liwen was up to.
"Actually, it's nothing. I just wanted to talk about Xinxin, that child. She had a straightforward temperament and her behavior might've offended the two of you. I hope you two will listen to me when I ask you to not mind her for she is just a child. I do sincerely hope she can flourish in the entertainment circle without any obstacles." Zhong Liwen said seriously, like a kind older sister pleading for forgiveness from people who bullied her younger sister. It was a hypocritical and disgusting display.
Many heads turned towards them when they heard those words. For those who didn't understand what Zhong Liwen was doing, their gazes were not friendly when they looked at Wen Jiexi and Wen Ting. If ordinary newcomers were the subject of those gazes then they might've been overwhelmed. However, how can someone like Wen Jiexi who filmed commercial care about the eyes looking at her? Wen Ting also appeared carefree, and she was even more carefree in her heart.
And after hearing Chu Heling and Yao Haocheng's words, they understood Zhong Liwen's true nature and naturally knew that the woman wasn't looking out for Ye Xinxin. Furthermore, this person didn't tell them off privately but instead in front of many other people. Undoubtedly she wants other people to think that the two were troublemakers that were bullying the newly arrived Ye Xinxin. Wasn't she clearly trying to provoke a sort of alienation? Well, it wasn't that easy.
"What does Sister Zhong mean? We only met for the first time yesterday and now again for the second time. Why would you say something like this?" Wen Jiexi blinked her eyes and appeared to be puzzled.
"Yeah, Sister Zhong, I think we should be the ones who feel weird about all this. I don't know why but this Miss Ye is really hostile towards us. I'm pretty sure we haven't seen each other before now. The contact between us has been only twice now. You say that Miss Ye's temperament is straightforward but that's not an excuse to insult people, right?" Wen Ting held out her hands in a helpless manner. She was right and many people had seen Ye Xinxin approaching them first. Although the voices were quiet, anyone could tell from the expression that is was not friendly. And it was clear to see who was the instigator from just a glance.
"Yes, Miss Zhong, I heard from Sister Heling that Miss Zhong is a veteran from Guanghua, and Miss Ye is one of your newcomers. I believe Miss Zhong will look after her well. Let's not mention us forgiving Miss Ye, but I think as long as our seniors talk to her she will obediently obey and not cause any trouble. Guanhua is a big company after all, so their disciplining newcomers must be no worse than other companies."
However, if Miss Ye continues to act unreasonably, we will have to report to the director. We believe that the director will not let the artists from her company be wronged because of a small newcomer from Guanghua."
"Ah, Senior Zhong, I'm sorry we still have some things to do. We will be leaving first. We should talk again if we have the chance."
With Wen Jiexi and Wen Ting working together, they easily resolved the misunderstanding. They also acted reasonably and respected the reputation of the seniors very much. They were basically saying: See how much we are helping Ye Xinxin? We are also helping you teach your newcomer and elevate your company's image. We even help clean up the messes of your company, no need to thank us.
The smiling faces of the two people were welcoming, but the other cast members looked at Ye Xinxin with unfriendly expressions. Even Zhong Liwen received a lot of strange looks. It was obviously her junior that was in the wrong and they didn't discipline her and even asked someone else to. They were also from Xingle, so naturally, they would side with their own. The crowd wasn't stupid after all.
These two little bit*ches! Zhong Liwen watched them leave with a helpless smile but gritted her teeth inside her heart. She felt the two girls were despicable and were more difficult to deal with than expected. Looks like she would need to use a harsher move.
Flipping through the script in her hands, Zhong Liwen stopped at a scene and a vicious, calculating look flashed in her eyes.
T/N:
The chapter's title is an idiom that means: "It takes constant vigilance to stave off evil".
[1] To force others to carry the black pot but keep your back clean: An idiom that means others do the dirty work for you.